How Long Should You Take HRT?
HRT, which stands for hormone replacement therapy, is exactly as the name implies — a treatment to replenish flagging hormones within the body, specifically during menopause. Why and When is HRT Used? HRT is usually administered for women between the ages of 40 to 65, and sometimes earlier, when menopause begins and whose lives are severely affected by menopause. Still, you should always be made aware any potential health hazards. If you have entered this midlife stage, you may be experiencing some of the many physical and emotional changes, such as menstrual cessation, mood swings, night sweats, sleep problems, and vaginal dryness, to name only a few of the more common disruptions. These are due to the decline of the hormones, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Estrogen and progesterone are the hormones that keep your reproductive system in good running order throughout life, especially during your childbearing years. Testosterone contributes to good bone and muscle maintenance, energy, mood, and sexual interest (libido). What are the Different Blends and Kinds of HRT? There are several different formats and types: Depending on a woman’s individual needs, HRT comes in several forms: Dr. Litrel discusses menopause and hormone therapy in this video. What Are the Risks Associated with HRT? In the past, HRT was provided to compensate for hormonal dissipation and to ease the transitional effects of menopause. It made medical sense to replenish the diminishing hormones, thus staving off the unpleasant repercussions this waning had on women. Mother Nature, unfortunately, did not always agree, and, though HRT helped many women, others had adverse effects such as: Dr. Haley discusses bioidentical hormone therapy in this video. What are the Advantages of HRT? Hormone replacement therapy can be beneficial for many menopausal symptoms caused by a woman’s natural depletion of estrogen and progesterone. Minor symptoms may be alleviated, such as: More severe complications of menopause can also be mitigated with HRT, such as: Am I a Good Candidate for HRT? As long as you do not have any risk factors, but find that your symptoms are impacting you negatively, you should discuss if HRT is right for you with your doctor. Additionally, if there is a history of osteoporosis in your family, HRT may be advantageous for you. There are also many lesser known symptoms attributable to menopause, so you should always be forthcoming about any emotional or physical changes that are occurring during midlife to rule out other disorders. Your health care provider is the best judge of whether HRT can help you. They’ll also decide if you need it short -or long-term. How Long Can I Take HRT? Doctors are now initially prescribing HRT in the lowest dose possible, making modifications as necessary until effectiveness is achieved. All potential risks must be taken into consideration based on thorough disclosure of your symptoms, medical history, family history, and lifestyle. This is vital to insure the best outcome for your individual needs, and whether the benefits outweigh the risks. At one time, it was thought that taking HRT for five years or less posed no danger, but recent findings proved that, depending on the individual, there can be problems even during this short time span. Other women may not be negatively affected at all. Today, women using HRT are being prescribed lower doses than before. There are also different methods available besides the past standard oral prescriptions. Vigilant and regular monitoring can alert us to any issues that may arise so that you can receive immediate intervention. Who Should Avoid HRT? Women with a history of the following issues are cautioned against using HRT: Are There Other Options to HRT? If you wish to avoid HRT, or are not a good candidate for it, there are several other medical and natural remedies you can try. These include: To book an appointment to discuss your menopausal issues and obtain information about HRT, call 770.720.7733.
